GOING along Manchester Road past Milnsbridge, I finally spotted one.

Like a bird-watcher seeking the first swallow of the summer, I had kept my eyes peeled for the sign that spring was upon us.

But, after 50 minutes in the car, I still hadn’t spied one.

Finally, I spotted what I had been looking for. Dangling from a lamp-post at a jaunty angle was that familiar orange diamond-shaped board that proclaims “here be Lib Dems”.

I was surprised to have driven so far on Sunday before seeing a poster for the Kirklees Council elections which are now only two weeks away (I know, I can’t wait either).

We took the country route to Jenny’s parents for lunch.

Starting in Colne Valley, we drove through Meltham and Honley – twin villages of Holme Valley North – before hitting Kirkburton.

Three marginal wards where last year’s incumbent party either lost or clung on to their seat by their fingertips. And yet there wasn’t an election poster in sight in this trio of closely contested seats.

A few hours later, we made our way back from Kirkburton to Slaithwaite, going through town this time.

We passed through the wards of Almondbury, Dalton and Newsome without noticing any lamp-post propaganda.

Finally, as we drove past Milnsbridge I spotted a Lib Dem poster, the first of three or four on display along that stretch of the Golcar ward.

What a poor show. During the 2010 General Election Huddersfield was awash with posters. Lamp-posts in the town groaned under the weight of so many grinning candidates.

One politician was even criticised by her opponents for allegedly putting up her posters before the official start of the campaign.

This year there’s next to nothing.

Of course, Sunday’s straw poll was just one unscientific sample taken by one person who, frankly, needs to get out more (or, in this case, needs to stay in more).

But it still indicates that interest in this year’s election is not exactly sky-high.

Fasten your seatbelts and prepare for a low turnout on May 3.